Are financial influencers reshaping how people make money decisions—and leaving financial advisors behind?In this episode of Make Better Wealth Decisions, host John De Goey sits down with Mike Schwartze, co-founder of Basis Point Media, to unpack the growing role of financial influencers in shaping public opinion and trust. They dive into how everyday investors decide who to believe, what advisors can learn from influencer strategies, and why building trust at scale is no longer optional.You’ll discover:Why financial influencers build trust so quickly—and what advisors can borrow from their playbook.The biggest mistake financial advisors make when creating content and how to avoid sounding transactional.A practical way to balance education, engagement, and storytelling so your message resonates.🎧 Listen now to learn how to cut through the noise, compete with financial influencers, and build lasting trust with your audience.
Think you need to buy a house to get into real estate? What if you could start making private real estate wealth decisions today—without becoming a landlord?In a past conversation with Josh Will of Virtus, we break down how private real estate works and why securitized real estate investments let you own pieces of properties in small, affordable chunks. For those priced out of the housing market, this might be the smartest way to access the benefits of real estate without the stress of ownership.Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:Why private real estate wealth decisions can be made without ever holding a deed.How securitized real estate investments diversify your portfolio beyond stocks and bonds.Practical ways to get started in real estate for as little as $5,000–$10,000.If you’re ready to rethink how you build wealth and open the door to real estate investing, tune into this episode now.For more about John
Are you making the right wealth decisions in today’s private real estate market?With rising interest rates, shifting cashflows, and competing investor strategies, it’s harder than ever to know if you’re making the smartest move with your portfolio.This week, industry veteran Josh Will—President of Virtus Capital Corporation—shares 20+ years of lessons on private real estate investing, from decision-making frameworks to navigating inflation, tariffs, and cross-border opportunities.You’ll discover:The 3 essential factors that drive smart private real estate wealth decisions beyond just “location.”Why cashflow—not timing—should guide your investing strategy in today’s market.How private real estate investing differs from public REITs and which approach fits your long-term wealth plan.👉 Tune in now to learn how to make better wealth decisions with private real estate investing—and avoid the costly mistakes most investors overlook.More about Virtus Diversified REITVisit John's website
Are you sitting on a valuable home but worried about how to fund your retirement?In this episode, we explore the reverse mortgage option with insights from longtime Canadian personal finance expert Patricia Lovett-Reid. For those who are “house rich but cash poor,” this strategy could unlock hundreds of thousands — even millions — in home equity without forcing you to sell or move.You’ll discover:Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage in Canada and how it works.The surprising flexibility this tool offers for lifestyle needs, family support, and emergencies.Why reverse mortgages aren’t for everyone — and how to decide if it fits your retirement plan.👉 If you’re planning for retirement and wondering how your home equity can support your lifestyle, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make smarter financial choices.To know more about John:https://www.johndegoey.ca/
Are your money habits keeping you from a true millionaire mindset?So many people believe building wealth is about saving harder or working longer — but as financial journalist Patricia Lovett-Reid shares, it’s really about clarity, literacy, and intentional decision-making. In this episode, we explore what the millionaire mindset looks like in practice, how better wealth decisions can transform your financial future, and why financial literacy is the foundation of it all.Here’s what you’ll take away:The surprising habits millionaires share that anyone can adopt.Why financial literacy matters more than income when it comes to wealth decisions.How to shift your mindset so your money supports the life you want — not the other way around.👉 Listen now to discover how you can strengthen your millionaire mindset and start making smarter wealth decisions today.
Are your financial decisions as intentional as they should be?This episode explores how principles of military decision making—focus, discipline, and process—can dramatically improve the way you handle money and investments.Good decision making isn’t about instinct or copying what friends are doing—it’s about having a framework. Drawing from insights shared by a U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander, we break down how you can borrow strategies used in high-stakes environments to bring clarity and purpose to your financial choices.By listening, you’ll discover:How applying focus and discipline can strengthen your financial decisions.Why assessing risks, returns, liquidity, and tax consequences helps avoid costly mistakes.A simple decision-making process you can use to reduce regret and improve outcomes.👉 Tune in now to learn how to apply battle-tested decision making to your financial decisions and start building with clarity and confidence.To visit John's website: https://www.johndegoey.ca/
Are you making strong decisions—or just fast ones?In this episode, Lieutenant Commander Lili Simon of the U.S. Coast Guard joins us to explore how the principles of military decision making can directly apply to your personal and financial life.We dive into the often-overlooked concept of decision hygiene—the frameworks and habits that help you think clearly, reduce bias, and make better calls under pressure.By tuning in, you’ll discover how to:Apply decision hygiene to strengthen your everyday decision making.Borrow high-stakes strategies from the military to reduce stress and improve outcomes.Empower yourself to make confident decisions—even when information is incomplete.👉 If you want to make smarter, more resilient choices in life and money, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.To know more about John:https://www.johndegoey.ca/
Do you know exactly what you’re paying for financial products and advice?For years, investors have had only partial visibility into their true costs. That’s about to change with the arrival of total cost reporting in 2027.This episode explores why the shift is happening, what it means for your investments, and how you can use this new transparency to your advantage.Here’s what you’ll gain:A clear understanding of what total cost reporting in 2027 will reveal about your fees.How better disclosure could reshape your investment decisions.Practical ways to prepare now so you’re ahead of the curve.🎧 Listen today to learn how 2027 could mark a turning point in your financial clarity and confidence.To know more about John:https://www.johndegoey.ca/
What does 30 years of watching Canada’s financial advice industry teach us about where investing is headed next?In this candid conversation with Rob Carrick, recently retired Globe and Mail personal finance columnist, we unpack the evolution of financial advice, the rise of low-cost investing, and the under-served mass market that AI in finance could finally reach.By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:The three biggest changes in financial advice since the 1990s — and what still needs to happen.How investing trends like ETFs, fee-only planning, and unbundled services are reshaping the industry.Why AI in finance could bridge the gap for millions of Canadians lacking access to quality planning.Listen now to hear Rob’s insider perspective on the past, present, and future of financial advice — and how to prepare for the investing trends that are coming next.To visit John's website:https://www.johndegoey.ca/
Think you make rational money decisions? You might want to think again — your behavioral biases are probably calling the shots.In this episode, we revisit the roots of behavioral finance and explore four essential books that reveal why smart people still make predictably irrational money choices. From Nobel Prize-winning research to laugh-out-loud examples, these reads unpack the psychology behind your financial decisions and how to improve them.You’ll discover:How “Thinking Fast and Slow” explains the mental shortcuts that sabotage your wealth.Why “Nudge” shows the subtle ways environments steer your decisions without you noticing.The surprising humor in “Misbehaving” and “Predictably Irrational” that makes learning about biases fun.Listen now to choose your next behavioral finance book and start turning your money biases into better decisions.
Are your investing habits hurting your future more than you realize?If you've ever wondered why it's so hard to start investing—or why losses feel like a gut punch even when you're playing the long game—you’re not alone. Most of it comes down to your brain, not your bank account.This week’s guest, Merle van den Akker, a PhD in behavioral science and Senior Product Manager at a major Australian financial institution, unpacks how investor psychology and behavioral finance shape every decision we make—from real estate to the stock market.You’ll walk away with:💡 A clearer understanding of risk aversion vs. loss aversion—and why the difference matters🧠 How to use behavioral finance strategies to actually follow through on good money habits🛠️ Real-world nudges and automation tools that can help you invest smarter—especially when emotion tries to sabotage youIf you're ready to stop second-guessing every investment decision and build financial habits that stick—this episode is your blueprint.▶️ Tune in now and take the emotion out of your investment strategy.
Do you know who’s really influencing your investment decisions?Most investors assume their financial advisor has full discretion over portfolio recommendations. But behind the scenes, compliance departments are shaping your options in ways you might never have considered—especially when it comes to offering memorandum products.If you’ve ever been told “this investment isn’t suitable” or wondered why alternative assets are capped at 10%, this episode unpacks the internal restrictions that affect your wealth strategy.In this episode, you’ll discover:How compliance policies impact your advisor’s ability to recommend certain productsWhy many firms label offering memorandum products as “high risk”—even when they’re notHow internal risk frameworks may be quietly limiting your ability to diversify and grow wealthTune in now to understand the real gatekeepers of your financial decisions—and how to navigate around their limitations.To visit John's website https://designedwealthmanagement.ca/
Are you still treating compliance as a roadblock instead of a strategic advantage?If you're an advisor or in compliance, this conversation with Fardan Ali will challenge everything you’ve assumed about regulation, advisor relationships, and what true compliance partnership looks like.Fardan, a compliance manager who’s worked with hundreds of advisors, breaks down why the compliance department shouldn't be your enemy — and how outdated best practices and legacy systems are damaging advisor productivity and client service.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “Know Your Advisor” (KYA) is just as crucial as KYC and KYPHow reframing compliance as collaboration can boost your practiceWhat real, regulator-approved “meaningful discussions” should look like — and how to do them right🎧 Listen now to shift your mindset on compliance and elevate your advisory practice.https://designedwealthmanagement.ca/To visit John's website
Are you underestimating the real impact of Donald Trump’s looming tariffs on your portfolio?With the August 1st deadline approaching fast, the uncertainty around whether tariffs will actually be imposed—and how markets will react—is growing by the day. In this episode, journalist Diane Francis joins the conversation to unpack what might happen if Trump follows through, and what that could mean for your financial strategy.You’ll learn:Why August 1st could become a pivotal moment for global trade and your investmentsHow to build a decision tree for your portfolio in uncertain geopolitical timesWhat smart investors are doing now to think ahead—before headlines shake the marketsListen now to stay ahead of the curve and make smarter portfolio moves before it’s too late.To visit John's website
Are you prepared for what global politics and economics are about to throw at you?In this episode, journalist and geopolitical analyst Diane Francis unpacks the ripple effects of U.S. tariffs, Canada’s recession risk, and the future of Ukraine—offering a sharp, economics-first lens on international power struggles.With 50 years of reporting experience across world capitals, Diane shares blunt, deeply informed insights on how global decision-making is being reshaped in real time.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why understanding geoeconomics is more critical than ever for investors and citizensThe real impact of Trump’s tariff strategy—and why retaliation could backfireHow the war in Ukraine may end—and what global powers are doing behind the scenesIf you're trying to make sense of 2025's complex global reality, this episode is a must-listen. Get the full download on what’s coming next.Diane Francis on SubstackVisit John's website
Ever wonder how professional portfolio managers actually make wealth decisions on your behalf?In this episode, we sit down with Onno Rutten, portfolio manager at MacKenzie Investments, to explore what it really takes to navigate today’s changing investment landscape—especially when it comes to resources, deglobalization, and niche market strategy.You’ll learn:Why recency bias is holding back most advisors—and what smart managers do insteadHow global changes like tariffs and reshoring are reshaping wealth strategyWhen active investing might be the better move, especially in niche sectors like resourcesTo visit John's website https://www.mackenzieinvestments.com/enListen now to hear how the world’s best portfolio managers think through wealth decisions—so you can make smarter ones yourself.
Are your wealth decisions based on reality—or outdated assumptions?Most investors stick with traditional strategies like 60/40 portfolios or chase headlines, but today’s markets—especially in resources—demand something far more nuanced.In this episode, we go inside the mind and process of Onno Rutten, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at MacKenzie Investments, who manages mutual funds and ETFs focused on the resource sector. He breaks down the macro forces reshaping the global economy and how disciplined portfolio management adapts to those changes.You’ll learn:Why sustainable free cash flow is the ultimate metric in resources investingHow to recognize macro themes like deglobalization and de-dollarization early—before they price inWhat retail investors and advisors get wrong about portfolio construction and risk managementDiscover how to think like a professional portfolio manager—so you can make better wealth decisions today. Tune in now.To visit John's website Mackenzie Investments
Have you ever considered music royalties as part of your investment portfolio?Most investors stick to the usual suspects—stocks, bonds, mutual funds—because that’s what they know. But what if you’re missing out on a high-performing, low-volatility income stream that’s been hiding in plain sight?In this episode, we dive into music royalties as a powerful and underutilized alternative asset. You’ll learn how this stable income source can improve risk-adjusted returns and why it could be the smartest wealth decision you make this year.Here’s what you’ll discover:How music royalties generate consistent returns—often 7%–9%—with low riskWhy traditional portfolios may underperform in the coming decadeThe practical considerations of investing in music royalties, including liquidity and allocation tipsListen now to explore how music royalties can help you build a more resilient and profitable portfolio.To visit John's websiteMore about ICM Asset Management
Are you really diversified — or just following outdated portfolio models?If you've never considered music royalties as part of your investment strategy, you're not alone — but you're likely missing out. In this episode, John talks with David Vankka, President and CFO at ICM Asset Management and lead manager of the Crescendo Music Royalty Fund. They explore how this niche asset class delivers surprising stability and strong, uncorrelated returns.In this episode, you’ll discover:How music royalties work — and how you can earn steady income from them.Why streaming trends and catalog deals are changing the way wealth is built.The unique diversification power of royalties that don’t care what the market is doing.Want stable, low-volatility returns from something people consume daily?Listen now and see how music royalties can strengthen your portfolio.ICM Asset ManagementTo visit John's website
Who really gets access to good financial advice — and who’s left behind?Financial resilience shouldn't be a privilege. In this episode, we explore how underserved and underrepresented communities — from LGBTQ+ individuals to visible minorities — are often excluded from the guidance they need most.You’ll discover:Why traditional financial systems overlook the people who need them mostHow organizations like CAFE are bridging the advice gap for underserved communitiesWhat financial advice really means when your background didn’t include wealth or securityListen now to learn how we can all support better wealth decisions — for everyone, not just the wealthy.To visit John's websiteThe Canadian Association for Financial Empowerment (CAFE)